Do you have a trusted physician you don't want to leave? Does he or she participate in a Medicare managed care plan? If not, are you willing to change your primary care doctor?

Do you need to see a specialist regularly? If so, are you willing to change providers if your regular specialist is not part of an HMO you're considering?

Do you live in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) whose skilled nursing facility is not part of the HMO? Do you live in an area where the long-term-care facilities are not part of the HMO? If so, are you willing to go out of the area for any needed, covered services they would provide?

Do you travel often or spend several months a year in a second home? If so, does the HMO have any arrangements with other plans in those areas to provide health care services while you're there?

The HMO...

How much does the plan cost? What is the premium? Are there any copayments? What services are covered? What services aren't?

Can you choose your primary care physician? Can you change physicians within the plan? If so, how long must you wait to make the change? Are participating primary care doctors accepting new patients?

Where do you go for care? To a central facility or individual doctor's office? Are the locations convenient for you and is public transportation available if needed? How long do you have to wait for a routine appointment?

Which hospitals does the plan use? Do you have a choice? Where do you go for emergencies during office hours? After office hours? How are "emergency" and "urgently needed" care defined? Do you need prior approval? Who do you call and how long does it take? How soon must you notify the HMO after receiving emergency care?

What additional services, such as ambulance services, are available to you? What about services for any medical condition for which you are being treated? Remember, you can't be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition.

What percentage of the HMO's patients receive annual flu shots, mammograms or other preventive health services and screenings?

What is the HMO's record in providing the costliest service, such as skilled nursing care, physical therapy or home health care? What are the rules on receiving these types of care? You may want to ask nearby nursing homes, therapists and other caregivers about how the HMO treats its elderly and disabled members.

How many people were members of the HMO at the beginning of the year? How many quit the HMO within that year?

Can the HMO cancel your membership? For what reason(s)?